U.S. patent number 8,857,662 [Application Number 13/858,607] was granted by the patent office on 2014-10-14 for dispensers and functional operation and timing control improvements for dispensers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Thomas P. Gasper, Christopher S. Hoppe, Bhaveshkumar Shah. Invention is credited to Thomas P. Gasper, Christopher S. Hoppe, Bhaveshkumar Shah.
United States Patent |
8,857,662 |
Hoppe , et al. |
October 14, 2014 |
Dispensers and functional operation and timing control improvements
for dispensers
Abstract
A method of operating a dispensing device includes the step of
entering a first active state, in which the detection of sensory
input by a sensor initiates a first pattern activation sequence to
energize a drive unit of the dispensing device for a first length
of time and a second subsequent length of time to actuate a
container. Upon completion of the first pattern activation
sequence, the device enters a second active state. The detection of
sensory input in the second active state initiates a second pattern
activation sequence to energize the drive unit for a third length
of time and a fourth subsequent length of time to actuate a
container if the sensory input is detected before a time period P
lapses. The dispensing device initiates the first pattern
activation sequence if the sensory input is detected after the
lapsing of the time period P.
Inventors: |
Hoppe; Christopher S.
(Milwaukee, WI), Gasper; Thomas P. (Germantown, WI),
Shah; Bhaveshkumar (Kenosha, WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hoppe; Christopher S.
Gasper; Thomas P.
Shah; Bhaveshkumar |
Milwaukee
Germantown
Kenosha |
WI
WI
WI |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
(Racine, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
45048185 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/858,607 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130240558 A1 |
Sep 19, 2013 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12915427 |
Oct 29, 2010 |
8464905 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1; 222/646;
239/8; 222/649; 222/52; 422/123; 422/4; 239/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M
1/2038 (20130101); A61L 9/14 (20130101); A01M
1/026 (20130101); A61L 2209/111 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67B
7/00 (20060101); G05D 7/00 (20060101); A62B
7/08 (20060101); A61L 9/00 (20060101); A01G
23/10 (20060101); G01F 11/00 (20060101); B67D
1/00 (20060101); B67D 7/14 (20100101); G04C
23/00 (20060101); G04C 23/42 (20060101); A01G
27/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;222/1,52,63,645,646,649,333 ;239/1,8,67-70
;422/4,105-116,120-126 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2004093929 |
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Nov 2004 |
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WO |
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2008115391 |
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Sep 2008 |
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WO |
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2009151573 |
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Dec 2009 |
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WO |
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2011056199 |
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May 2011 |
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WO |
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Other References
PCT/US2011/001819 International Search Report dated Jul. 12, 2012.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Durand; Paul R
Assistant Examiner: Lembo; Matthew
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/915,427, filed Oct. 29, 2010.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of operating a dispensing device, comprising the steps
of: entering a first active state, detecting a sensory input by a
sensor, initiating a first pattern activation sequence configured
to energize a drive unit of the dispensing device for a first
length of time to actuate a container, entering a second active
state upon completion of the first pattern activation sequence, and
detecting a second sensory input in the second active state,
wherein if the second sensory input is detected before a lapse of
time period P, the method comprises the steps of: initiating a
second pattern activation sequence configured to energize the drive
unit for a third length of time to actuate a container, and wherein
if the second sensory input is detected after a lapse of time
period P, the method comprises the steps of: initiating the first
pattern activation sequence; wherein at least one of the following
method steps occurs within the first or the second active state:
(i) energizing the drive unit for a second length of time
subsequent to the first length of time; or (ii) energizing the
drive unit for a fourth length of time subsequent to the third
length of time; wherein the first, second, third and fourth lengths
of time are not all the same.
2. A method of operating a dispensing device, comprising the steps
of: entering a first active state, wherein if there is sensory
input detected by a sensor of the dispensing device the following
steps are taken: detecting the sensory input; initiating a first
pattern activation sequence comprising the release of a volume A of
material from a fluid container; and entering a second active state
upon completion of the first pattern activation sequence, wherein
if there is sensory input detected by a sensor of the dispensing
device before the lapsing of a time period P, the following steps
are taken: detecting the sensory input; initiating a second pattern
activation sequence comprising the release of a volume C of
material from a container, wherein at least one of the following
occurs within the first or second active state: (i) a volume B of
material is released from the container subsequent to the release
of the volume A; or (ii) a volume D of material is released from
the container subsequent to the release of the volume C, wherein
volumes A, B, C, and D are not all the same, and wherein upon
entering the second active state, if there is no sensory input
detected by a sensor of the dispensing device before the lapsing of
a time period P, the following steps are taken: initiating the
first pattern activation sequence.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first pattern activation
sequence includes at least one lockout period between at least one
of the release of the volume A and the volume B and between the
release of the volume B and the entering of the second active
state.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one lockout period
is between about 1 to about 30 minutes.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the volume A, the
volume B, the volume C, and the volume D is between about 10 .mu.L
to about 100 .mu.L.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the second pattern activation
sequence includes at least one lockout period between at least one
of the release of the volume C and the volume D and between the
release of the volume D and the entering of a second active
state.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume A, volume B, volume C,
and volume D are released from a single fluid container.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume A, volume B, volume C,
and volume D are released from multiple fluid containers.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor is at least one of a
heat sensor, an odor sensor, a vibration sensor, a tilt sensor, a
sound sensor, a water level sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity
sensor, a temperature sensor, and a motion sensor.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a remote
sensor.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein a volume B is released from the
container subsequent to the release of the volume A in the first
active state and the volume D is released from the container
subsequent to the release of the volume C in the second active
state.
12. A method of operating a dispensing device, comprising the steps
of: entering a first active state, detecting a sensory input by a
sensor, initiating a first pattern activation sequence configured
to energize a drive unit of the dispensing device for a first
length of time and a second subsequent length of time to actuate a
container, entering a second active state upon completion of the
first pattern activation sequence, and detecting a second sensory
input in the second active state, wherein if the second sensory
input is detected before a lapse of time period P, the method
comprises the steps of: initiating a second pattern activation
configured to energize the drive unit for a third length of time
and a fourth subsequent length of time to actuate a container, and
wherein if the second sensory input is detected after a lapse of
time period P, the method comprises the steps of: initiating the
first pattern activation sequence; wherein the first, second,
third, and fourth lengths of time are not all the same.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the drive unit is a motor.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the dispensing device includes
at least one lockout period between the first length of time, the
second length of time, the third length of time, and the fourth
length of time.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein a single container is actuated
in the first, the second, the third, and the fourth lengths of
time.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein multiple containers are
actuated in the first, the second, the third, and the fourth
lengths of time.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor is a motion
sensor.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the motion sensor comprises at
least one of a photocell motion sensor, a passive infrared motion
sensor, a pyroelectric motion sensor, an infrared reflective motion
sensor, an ultrasonic motion sensor, a radar motion sensor, or a
microwave radio sensor.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor is at least one of a
heat sensor, an odor sensor, a vibration sensor, a tilt sensor, a
sound sensor, a water level sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity
sensor, and a temperature sensor.
Description
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to dispensers for
discharging volatile materials and methods for operating the same,
and more particularly to methods that increase user perception of
the volatile materials and prevent habituation.
2. Description of the Background of the Invention
It is known that a user's perception of a dispensed fragrance of a
constant intensity tends to decay over time. This decay in
perception, which is commonly referred to as adaptation and/or
habituation, increases as exposure to the fragrance is increased,
eventually reaching a level of habituation wherein the consumer can
no longer perceive the fragrance. It is generally believed that
adaptation and/or habituation can be reduced by changing the level
of intensity of the dispensed fragrance or by dispensing a
different fragrance. Traditionally, fragrance habituation has been
countered by step-wise increases in fragrance intensity. The
drawback of this approach is that the consumer will repeatedly
habituate to each increased level of fragrance intensity to reach a
level of habituation wherein the fragrance can no longer be
perceived.
Diffusion devices or dispensers are used to dispense volatile
materials, such as fragrances, deodorizers, insecticides, insect
repellants, and the like. Many such devices are passive diffusion
devices that require only ambient air flow to dispense the volatile
material, while other devices are active diffusion devices. Active
diffusion devices are found in a variety of forms, some include
fans and/or heaters to aid in the dispersal of volatile materials,
others actuate a valve stem of an aerosol container to dispense a
volatile material contained therein, still others utilize an
ultrasonic transducer to break up a liquid volatile material into
droplets that are ejected from the device, and yet others include
any combination of the above or any other known type of active
diffusion device. Further, some active diffusion devices include a
sensor to detect motion or light in a space, wherein such devices
dispense a volatile material in response to signals from the
sensor.
Traditionally, fragrance dispensers that release fluid based on the
detection of motion release the same spray burst after every
detection of motion. The drawbacks of this approach are that the
user will become habituated to the level of fragrance released and
will not perceive the bursts of fragrance. Additionally, many of
these dispensers release a spray burst after every detection of
motion regardless of the last time the dispenser released a spray
burst. The drawbacks of this approach are that in high-trafficked
areas the dispenser releases many spray bursts, which, in addition
to depleting the contents of the dispenser at a higher rate, cause
the user to become habituated to the fragrance.
Consequently, a need has arisen for dispensers to provide an
improved user experience by increasing user perception and
preventing habituation by releasing fragrance using various
patterned activation sequences. The present disclosure relates to
solutions to address such needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment, a method of operating a dispensing
device includes the step of entering a first active state, wherein
if there is sensory input detected by a sensor of the dispensing
device, the sensory input is detected and the dispensing device
initiates a first pattern activation sequence that comprises the
release of a volume A of material from a fluid container. Upon
completion of the first pattern activation sequence, the device
enters a second active state wherein if there is sensory input
detected by a sensor of the dispensing device before the lapsing of
a time period P, the sensory input is detected and the dispensing
device initiates a second pattern activation sequence that
comprises the release of a volume C of material from a container.
Even further, in at least one of the first or second active states,
(i) a volume B of material is released from the container
subsequent to the release of the volume A or (ii) a volume D of
material is released from the container subsequent to the release
of volume C. The volume A, the volume B, the volume C, and the
volume D are not all the same. Upon entering the second active
state, if there is no sensory input detected by a sensor of the
dispensing device before the lapsing of a time period P, the first
pattern activation sequence is initiated.
According to a second embodiment, a method of operating a
dispensing device includes the step of entering a first active
state, wherein the detection of sensory input by a sensor initiates
a first pattern activation sequence to energize a drive unit of the
dispensing device for a first length of time and a second
subsequent length of time to actuate a container. Upon completion
of the first pattern activation sequence, the device enters a
second active state wherein the detection of sensory input in the
second active state initiates a second pattern activation sequence.
The second pattern activation sequence energizes the drive unit for
a third length of time and a fourth subsequent length of time to
actuate a container if the sensory input is detected before a
lapsing of a time period P. The dispensing device initiates the
first pattern activation sequence if the sensory input is detected
after the lapsing of the time period P.
According to a further embodiment, a method of operating a
dispensing device includes the step of entering a first active
state, wherein the detection of sensory input by a sensor initiates
a first pattern activation sequence to energize a drive unit of the
dispensing device for a first length of time to actuate a
container. Further, the method includes the step of entering a
second active state upon completion of the first pattern activation
sequence. The detection of sensory input in the second active state
initiates a second pattern activation sequence to energize the
drive unit for a third length of time to actuate a container if the
sensory input is detected before a lapsing of a time period P. The
first pattern activation sequence is initiated if the sensory input
is detected after the lapsing of the time period P. Even further,
in at least one of the first and the second active states, (i) the
drive unit is energized for a second length of time subsequent to
the first length of time or (ii) the drive unit is energized for a
fourth length of time subsequent to the third length of time.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a dispenser;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a dispenser according to another
embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates programming for a spray
release operation that may be executed by the dispensers of FIGS. 1
and/or 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed when a power source is applied to the dispensers of FIGS.
1 and/or 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during an active mode procedure of the dispensers of FIGS.
1 and/or 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during a first pattern activation sequence of the
programming of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during a second pattern activation sequence of the
programming of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates another embodiment of the
active mode procedure of the dispensers of FIGS. 1 and/or 2;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during a first pattern activation sequence of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during a second pattern activation sequence of FIG. 8;
and
FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates programming that may be
executed during a third pattern activation sequence of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a device 20 that includes a microprocessor 22, a
power source 24, a motor 26, and a sensor 28. The device may also
include an input device 30. An example of the input device 30 may
be a selector switch 32, which allows the user to turn on the
device 20. The power source 24 supplies power to the microprocessor
22 and to the other components, wherein the microprocessor 22 is
further coupled to the other components and executes programming to
control the operation thereof. In one embodiment, the
microprocessor 22 may be a Microchip PIC 18F2525. However, it is
contemplated that any type of microcontroller known to those of
skill in the art may be used with the present embodiments.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the device 20 of FIG. 1
implemented as a dispenser 34 for dispensing the contents of an
aerosol container 36. The dispenser 34 may be one of the devices
described in Carpenter et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/725,402, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. The dispenser 34 includes a housing 38 that is adapted to
receive the aerosol container 36, batteries 40, actuator arm 42,
and the selector switch 32. In addition, the dispenser 34 also
includes circuitry, the microprocessor 22, the motor 26, and the
sensor 28, which are provided within the housing 38 and shown
generally in FIG. 1.
The microprocessor 22 controls the motor 26 during a spray release
operation 50 to actuate the actuator arm 42, which depresses a
valve stem 44 of the aerosol container 36 to dispense the contents
therefrom. The microprocessor 22 includes programming to initiate a
spray release operation 50 in response to a signal generated from
the sensor 28. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the present
embodiment, the microprocessor 22 could initiate a spray release
operation 50 in response to a signal generated by a switch, a
pushbutton, and/or a timer.
FIG. 3 illustrates the spray release operation 50 of the present
embodiment. The spray release operation 50 begins at the block 52
where the motor 26 is energized to move the actuator arm 42
downwardly to depress the valve stem 44 of the aerosol container 36
into an open position. The motor 26 is deenergized in block 54.
Thereafter, the motor 26 is energized to move the actuator arm 42
in the opposite direction in block 56 to assist the valve stem 44
in moving to a closed and non-depressed position. Changing the
length of time the motor 26 is energized to move the actuator arm
42 downwardly in block 52 and/or deenergized in the block 54
changes the volume of spray burst released. Thus, the dispenser 34
can be programmed to release any volume of spray burst from the
container 36. Modifications to the spray release operation 50 of
the present embodiment can include any sequence of the same or
different steps, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art.
The sensor 28 in the present embodiment may be a photocell light
sensor. In one embodiment, changes in the detected level of light
by the sensor may be construed as detected motion. The sensor 28
may be the sensor described in Carpenter et al. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/725,402, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. However, any other type of detector or
sensor may be utilized, e.g., a passive infrared or pyroelectric
motion sensor, an infrared reflective motion sensor, an ultrasonic
motion sensor, or a radar or microwave radio motion sensor.
Further, the sensor 28 can be replaced or used in combination with
any other type of known sensor, e.g., a heat sensor or an odor
sensor. Still further, the sensor does not have to be located
within the housing 38 of the dispenser 34; rather, the sensor 28
can be a remote sensor for detecting motion that is not around the
dispenser 34.
FIG. 4 illustrates an initiation procedure of the dispenser 34. The
initiation procedure includes an initiate mode block 58 at which
the programming implemented by the microprocessor 22 to control the
dispenser 34 initiates when a selector switch 32 is toggled into an
on position. Alternatively, if the selector switch 32 is not
provided, the initiate mode block 58 may be responsive to the
insertion of the batteries 40 into the dispenser 34 or the
provision of some other power source to the dispenser 34. After the
initiate mode block 58, control passes directly to block 60 without
any lockout period therebetween, and an active mode procedure is
performed, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. In
other embodiments a startup procedure is performed after the
initiate mode 58, following which the active mode procedure 60 is
performed. The startup procedure may include any combination of
lockout periods and spray release operations, which in some
instances may allow the user to determine that the dispenser 34 is
functioning properly, e.g., that all of the components are properly
coupled together and functioning and that the contents of the
container 36 are not depleted. In some embodiments, the sensor 28
may be activated during the initiation procedure 50 and utilized
during a startup procedure. Modifications to the programming of the
present embodiment can include any sequence of the same or
different steps, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art.
FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an embodiment of programming executed during
the active mode procedure 60. Referring to FIG. 5, at a block 70
the sensor 28 is activated and the dispenser 34 is on and in a
first active state. Thereafter, control passes to a decision block
72 to determine if motion is detected. If motion is not detected,
control passes back to the block 70 and subsequently proceeds again
to the block 72. However, if motion is detected, control passes to
a block 74 to perform a first pattern activation sequence. During
the first pattern activation sequence 74 the sensor 28 is
deactivated, e.g., by ignoring the output from the sensor 28 and/or
de-energizing the sensor 28. After performing the first pattern
activation sequence 74, control passes to a block 76 in which the
dispenser 34 is in a second active state and the sensor 28 is again
active. Subsequently, control passes to a decision block 78 to
determine if motion is detected. If motion is not detected, control
passes back to the block 76 and subsequently proceeds to the block
78. If motion is detected, control passes to another decision block
80 and the programming determines if the time elapsed since the
last spray burst has reached a certain time period P. If the time
period P has not elapsed control passes to a block 82 to perform a
second pattern activation sequence. During the second pattern
activation sequence 82 the sensor 28 is again deactivated. After
the second pattern activation sequence 82 is performed, control
passes back to the block 76 and the device is in the second active
state. Referring back to the decision block 80, if the programming
determines that the time period P has elapsed then control passes
back to the block 74 and the device performs the first pattern
activation sequence. Preferably, the time period P since the last
spray burst is between about 30 and about 90 minutes. More
preferably the time period P is between about 50 and about 70
minutes. Most preferably the time period P is about 60 minutes.
Accordingly, other lengths of time for the time period P will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 6 illustrates the first pattern activation sequence 74. At a
block 84 the dispenser 34 performs a Spray A release operation in
which the dispenser releases a volume A burst of material. The
spray release operation is similar to the spray release operation
50 described above and illustrated in FIG. 3. The volume A burst of
material preferably has a volume between about 10 .mu.L and about
100 .mu.L, more preferably between about 20 .mu.L and about 60
.mu.L, and most preferably between about 30 .mu.L and about 50
.mu.L. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a
different volume could be used. Thereafter, control passes to a
block 86 and the dispenser 34 enters a first lockout period. A
decision block 88 determines if the time elapsed during the first
lockout period has reached a certain first time Q. In a preferred
embodiment the time Q of the first lockout period is between about
5 to about 30 minutes. More preferably, the time Q of the first
lockout period is between about 10 to about 20 minutes. Most
preferably the time Q is about 15 minutes. If the time elapsed
during the first lockout period has not reached the certain first
time Q then control loops back to the lockout period of block 86.
If the first time Q has elapsed, then control passes to a block 90
and the dispenser 34 performs a Spray B release operation and the
dispenser 34 releases a volume B burst. In a preferred embodiment
the volume B burst has a volume of 25 .mu.L, but it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that other volumes may be used
for the volume B burst. Preferably, the volume B is between about
10 .mu.L and about 100 .mu.L, and more preferably the volume B is
between about 20 .mu.L and about 60 .mu.L. While any volume may be
released, in a preferred embodiment the volume B burst is less than
that of the volume a burst. After releasing the volume B burst the
dispenser 34 enters a second lockout period of a block 92.
Subsequently control passes to a decision block 94 and the
programming determines if the time elapsed during the second
lockout period has reached a certain second time R. In a preferred
embodiment the second lockout period is between about 1 to about 20
minutes. More preferably the second lockout period is between about
5 to about 10 minutes. Most preferably, the second lockout period
is about 10 minutes. If the second lockout period time R has not
elapsed control loops back to the second lockout period of block
92. If the second lockout period has elapsed then control loops
back to the second active state of block 76 of FIG. 5. In an
alternative embodiment the times of the lockout periods and the
volumes of material may be changed without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
FIG. 7 provides details of the second pattern activation sequence
82. At block 96 the dispenser 34 performs a Spray C release
operation in which the dispenser 34 releases a volume C burst.
Thereafter, the dispenser 34 enters a third lockout period of block
98. Subsequently, control passes to a decision block 100 and the
programming determines if the time elapsed during the third lockout
period has reached a certain third lockout time S. If the third
lockout period has not elapsed, the control loops back to the third
lockout mode of block 98. If the third lockout period S is
determined to have elapsed then control passes to a block 102 and
the dispenser 34 performs a Spray D release operation and the
dispenser releases a volume D burst. The dispenser 34 then enters a
fourth lockout mode of block 104. A decision block 106 determines
if the time elapsed during the fourth lockout mode has reached a
certain fourth lockout period T. If the fourth lockout period T has
not elapsed then control loops back to block 104. If the lockout
period T has elapsed then control passes back to the second active
state of block 76 of FIG. 5. It is preferred that the volume C and
the volume D of material are between about 10 .mu.L and about 50
.mu.L. More preferably, the volume C and the volume D of material
are between about 20 .mu.L and about 30 .mu.L, with the volume C
and the volume D of the most preferred embodiment being about 25
.mu.L. While the volume C and the volume D of material can be
different volumes, it is preferred that volume C has the same
volume as volume D. The third and fourth lockout periods S, T are
preferably between about 5 to about 30 minutes and more preferably
between about 10 to about 20 minutes. Most preferably the third and
fourth lockout periods S, T are about 10 minutes. Although the
third and fourth lockout periods S, T can be different lengths, it
is preferred that the third and fourth lockout periods S, T have
the same length.
FIGS. 8-11 illustrate a second embodiment of programming executed
by the dispenser 34 during the active mode procedure 60'. Referring
to FIG. 8, at block 200 the sensor 28 is activated and the
dispenser 34 is in an active state. Subsequently, control passes to
a decision block 202 to determine if motion is detected. If motion
is not detected, control loops back to the active state of block
200. If motion is detected, control passes to a second decision
block 204 and the programming uses a random number generator to
select one of a first, a second, and a third pattern activation
sequence represented by blocks 206, 208, and 210, respectively.
After performing the first, the second, or the third pattern
control loops back to the active state of block 200.
FIGS. 9-11 depict the programming of the first, the second, and the
third pattern activation sequences, 206, 208, 210, respectively. In
FIG. 9, if the first pattern activation sequence 206 is selected,
the sensor 28 is again deactivated and the dispenser 34 performs a
Spray E release operation of block 212 and releases a volume E
burst of material. The dispenser 34 then enters a first lockout
period of block 214. Subsequently, control passes to a decision
block 216 and the programming determines if the time elapsed during
the first lockout period 214 has reached a certain first time X. If
the first time X has not elapsed control loops back to the lockout
mode of block 214. If the first time X has elapsed control passes
back to the active state of block 200 of FIG. 8.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second and third pattern
activation sequences 208, 210 are programmed similarly to the first
pattern activation sequence 206, except for changes in the volume
of the spray bursts released and the length of time of the lockout
periods. As shown in FIG. 10, the second pattern activation
sequence 208 releases a volume F burst at a block 218 and enters a
second lockout period 220 where the second lockout time of block
222 is Y. FIG. 11 shows the third pattern activation sequence 210.
At block 224 the dispenser 34 releases a volume G burst and
subsequently enters a third lockout period of block 226 where the
third lockout time of block 228 is Z.
In the second embodiment the volume E, the volume F, and the volume
G of material are preferably between about 10 .mu.L and about 100
.mu.L. More preferably the volumes E, F, and G are between about 15
.mu.L and about 60 .mu.L, where the most preferred volumes E, F,
and G are between about 20 .mu.L and about 50 .mu.L. The volumes E,
F, and G can all be the same volume, but it is preferred that
volumes E, F, and G are different. The first, second, and third
lockout periods X, Y, Z of the second embodiment preferably last
about 5 to about 30 minutes. More preferably the first, second, and
third lockout periods X, Y, Z last about 10 to about 25 minutes,
and most preferably about 10 to about 20 minutes. While it is
contemplated that the first, second, and third lockout periods X,
Y, Z of the second embodiment can last the same length of time, it
is preferred that the first, second, and third lockout periods X,
Y, Z are different.
In a different embodiment similar to those described above, any of
the active dispensers 34 may also be provided with passive
diffusion means. In addition to actively releasing a spray burst
upon the detection of motion, this embodiment also provides a
continual passive diffusion of a volatile material. The passive
diffusion means may comprise a reservoir holding a fragrance
ladened liquid or gel enclosed by a vapor permeable membrane. As
ambient air passes over the reservoir, the fragrance permeates
through the membrane and is slowly diffused into the atmosphere.
The reservoir may be attached to the outside of the housing 38 or
recessed in some manner within the housing 38 of the dispenser 34.
The passive diffusion means slowly diffuses the fragrance into the
atmosphere, providing a low level of fragrance between the high
levels of fragrance released during the active spray bursts.
In yet another embodiment similar to those described above, the
dispenser 34 emits two spray bursts as opposed to a single burst
when activated in response to a sensor or predetermined emission
pattern. The first spray burst is released into the atmosphere in a
manner as noted above. The second spray burst is sprayed onto an
emanating pad located within the dispenser 34. The emanating pad
absorbs the volatile material sprayed onto it and allows for the
continual diffusion of the volatile material from the emanating pad
into the atmosphere.
It is contemplated that other types of dispensers with varying
actuation mechanics may be used in conjunction with any of the
embodiments disclosed herein. For example, instead of using a
dispenser capable of releasing spray bursts of various volumes from
a single container it is possible to use a dispenser capable of
releasing spray bursts from multiple containers with differently
metered valves. Also, instead of using a dispenser that uses a
container with a metered valve, it is possible to use a dispenser
that uses submetered valves, in which the submetering happens
within the dispenser and not within the container. For example, it
is contemplated that the dispenser may use an electronically
controlled solenoid in combination with a container having a
non-metered or metered valve to release various volumes of spray
material from the dispenser.
It is further contemplated that any of the described dispensers
could use a remote sensor as opposed to the sensor 28 located
within the housing of the dispenser. Remote sensors have the
advantage of allowing the dispenser 34 to detect motion that is not
in the same location as the dispenser 34 or to increase the range
of detection. Additionally, any of the described dispensers may use
multiple sensors, located within or outside of the dispenser 34, to
equip the dispenser with omni-directional detection
capabilities.
It is also imagined that any of the above embodiments may be
modified to include a user selectable switch. The user selectable
switch allows a user to choose a preferred lockout period time for
any of the lockout periods. In one example, the user can select one
of a level 1, a level 2, a level 3, and a level 4 lockout period,
wherein level 1 is about 40 minutes, level 2 is about 31.6 minutes,
level three is about 23.3 minutes, and level 4 is about 15 minutes.
It is understood that the switch can have more or less choices of
lockout period times for the user to select. Alternatively, instead
of a switch, the dispenser could include a wheel or a dial, which
the user can turn to select a preferred lockout period time or
times.
Various modifications can be made to the above embodiments without
departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example,
the volumes of the spray bursts A, B, C, D, E, F, and G may be
changed. Additionally the time elapsed during the lockout periods
P, Q, R, S, T, X, Y, and Z may be changed without departing from
the spirit of the present disclosure. Further, other embodiments of
the disclosure including all the possible different and various
combinations of the individual features of each of the foregoing
described embodiments are specifically included herein.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The dispenser and programming methods described herein
advantageously allow for the contents of a container to be sprayed
into the atmosphere in a manner that will increase user perception
and prevent habituation.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative
only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in
the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of
carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which
come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
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